Amber cold health alert issued for south-west England

A cold weather warning has been issued for the South West

An amber "cold health alert" for south-west England has been issued by the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency.

The alert means the impact of cold weather is likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time and vulnerable people should take action to keep warm.

It comes after a critical incident was declared at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.

The warning will remain in place until midday on Friday.

The alert covers Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire.

'Serious impact'

Prof Dominic Mellon, regional deputy director for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West said cold weather "can have a serious impact on health".

He said: "It is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

"Temperatures are expected to turn particularly cold overnight, as we would expect at this time of year.

"If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65 it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, in the coming days."

All English regions had previously been placed under a yellow alert from last Saturday, as lower-than-average temperatures were forecast by the Met Office for this week.

The current cold snap is expected to put more pressure on people

The health service has issued advice on how to keep warm:

• Check the weather forecast and the news

• Make sure you have sufficient food and medicine

• Take simple measures to reduce draughts at home

• Keep bedroom windows closed

• Wear multiple layers of thinner clothing

• If you're eligible, get vaccinated against flu and Covid

• Get help if needed - call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency

The current cold snap is expected to put more pressure on people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Citizens Advice Somerset.

Rhoda Cooke, from the service, said: "For the first time in a very long time more clients are coming to us with what we call a deficit budget, i.e. what's coming into the household isn't sufficient to pay the essential bills that have to go out.

"There's nowhere to cut back to plug that deficit, so we see an increase in crisis or critical advice need, and we're not unique, that's happening across the country."